‘Main Season’ begins at Montavilla Farmers Market

GREAT VIDEO HERE | Take a look at what’s in store at the Montavilla Farmers Market in outer East Portland, now that their weekly Sunday markets have returned …

Although the Montavilla Farmers Market opened only minutes before, for the first day of their regular season, customers are already busy choosing just-picked fresh vegetables at the at Albany’s Eloisa Organic Farm LLC stand.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Unlike most outdoor markets that close during the winter months, the Montavilla Farmers Market (MFM) has stayed open all winter – for two Sundays each month – and has consistently drawn shoppers.

>> CLICK HERE to read about the opening of the MFM Winter Market season.

But, on May 1, things changed when the MFM opened for their regular season, still at the same lot, across the street from Mr. Plywood.

MFM Manager Lisa Hall spends a moment with vendor Luna Contreras of Chelo PDX.

“We had had a really good winter market turnout; and I expect we will have even more shoppers coming through now, especially as we come out of ‘COVID times’,” MFM Manager Lisa Hall said, shortly after opening bell at 10:00 a.m.

“The main difference from our Winter Markets is that we are welcoming new vendors who’ll be joining our year-around vendors today,” pointed out Hall.

These happy shoppers, Aaron MicPike and Priscilla MicPike, from the Cherry Park neighborhood, buy young plants at the Lil’ Starts Plant Nursery stand.

“And then, as the summer season progresses, we will start to see more fruits coming in, berries, and a wider variety of vegetables coming in as it gets a little warmer,” Hall predicted. “Today we have about 48 vendors, up from about 40 sellers; however, in peak season our largest markets will feature 60 vendors.”

Categories of products that shoppers can expect to find during theregular season include fresh fruits and vegetables, animal products, flowers, and honey.

Here’s a look at opening day of their main season at the Montavilla Farmers Market. Music by, and courtesy of, Forest Bloodgood.

“We’ll also see more in terms of hot, ready-to-eat food, beverages and alcohol, baked goods, artisan grocery products such as hot sauce tempah and chimichurri – as well as wellness products, like CBD and herbal medicines,” listed Hall.

Two-year-old Montavilla neighbor James Little enjoys a fresh snack at the market.

The market quickly fills with shoppers looking for fresh produce, offered by the farmers who grew and harvested the crops.

“Also this season, we’re excited to welcome back our ‘at-market programming’ – which means that on almost every market day, we’ll have a demonstration to celebrate foods in the market, or sustainability, and/or kids activities – like the composting demonstration we’re having today,” Hall pointed out.

“Also this year, we’ve just translated our instructions on how to use the MATCH program with EBT cards at the market, in simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Spanish.”

Montavilla Farmers Market

+ Through November, they’re open every Sunday
+ 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each market day
+ It’s located on the gravel lot in the 7700 block of SE Stark Street – across the street from Mr. Plywood.
+ CLICK HERE to see their website.

>> On our FRONT PAGE: Annika Petts and Olya Everest welcome shoppers to their Crooked River Farm stand.

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